Analog to digital converter with dynamic power configuration

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, an analog to digital converter (ADC) has a dynamic power circuit. The ADC has a track-and-hold circuit with an output and a track mode. The ADC also has a comparator with an input. A preamplifier is coupled between the track-and-hold output and the comparator input. At least one of a preamplifier current and a comparator current are limited during the track mode to reduce ADC power consumption.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/289,310, filed on Oct. 24, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/637,823, filed on Dec. 13, 2006, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/750,040, filedDec. 14, 2005, all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to an analog to digitalconverter (ADC). More particularly, the invention relates to anapparatus and method for reducing ADC power consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical analog to digital converter (ADC) has a track and hold circuitthat samples an analog input signal. The track and hold circuit operatesin either a track mode or a hold mode. In an ADC consisting of apreamplifier and a comparator, normally the track and hold circuittracks the input signal in half of the clock cycle and holds the signalin the rest of the clock cycle to convert an analog level to a digitalcode. The typical ADC wastes power during the track mode because the ADCis powered but does not produce a change in an ADC output.

The ADC output changes state only during the hold mode, a transitionthrough an ADC reference voltage by the track and hold circuit output,and clocking of the ADC. A clock circuit clocks the ADC output toproduce a possible change in ADC output only when the track and holdcircuit is in the hold mode and not in the track mode. Thus, the ADCoutput cannot change state during the track mode. However, during thetrack mode, an amplifier, a comparator, and other ADC subcircuitsconsume power. Therefore, the ADC wastes power during the track mode.

What is needed is an apparatus and method to reduce ADC powerconsumption during the track mode as well as overcome other shortcomingsnoted above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an analog-to-digital converter.

FIG. 1B illustrates operational detail of an analog-to-digitalconverter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a reference voltage supply.

FIG. 3A illustrates an analog-to-digital converter with a dynamic powercircuit.

FIG. 3B illustrates another analog-to-digital converter with a dynamicpower circuit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a preamplifier stage.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of another preamplifier stage.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a comparator.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a resistor load control circuit.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for managing power in an analog-to-digitalconverter.

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary timing of control signals and circuitmodes.

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of areference number identifies the drawing in which the reference numberfirst appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Analog to Digital Converter Circuit

This specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporatethe features of this invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merelyexemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited tothe disclosed embodiment(s). The invention is defined by the claims.

The embodiment(s) described and references in the specification to “oneembodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicatethat the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic. However, every embodiment may notnecessarily include the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring tothe same embodiment. When a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it isunderstood that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art toeffect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection withother embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary analog to digital conversion circuit100. The conversion circuit 100 is deposited on a substrate 102. Theconversion circuit 100 has an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 104coupled to a reference voltage supply 106 via a positive reference(Refp) 108 and a negative reference (Refn) 110. The combination of afirst preamplifier 120, a second preamplifier 126, and a comparator 132is a one-bit ADC. The reference voltage supply 106 is a fixed voltagesource. Also coupled to the ADC 104 is an ADC input 112. The ADC input112 has a positive input 114 and a negative input 116. In examples, theADC 104 is a multi-bit ADC.

The ADC 104 has a track-and-hold circuit 118 coupled to a differentialsignal input 112 with the positive input 114 and the negative input 116.The track-and-hold circuit 118 is also coupled to the first preamplifier120 via a positive track-and-hold output (Thp) 122 and a negativetrack-and-hold output (Thn) 124. The first preamplifier 120 is coupledto the second preamplifier 126 via a positive first preamplifier output(op1) 128 and a negative first preamplifier output (on1) 130. The secondpreamplifier 126 is coupled to the comparator 132 via a positive secondpreamplifier output (op2) 134 and a negative second preamplifier output(on2) 136. The comparator 132 is coupled to an optional buffer 137. Thebuffer 137 is coupled to a set-reset latch 138. The set-reset latch 138is coupled to a flip-flop 140. The output of the flip-flop 140 is an ADCoutput 135. The track-and-hold circuit 118, the set-reset latch 138,and/or the flip-flop 140 may be edge-triggered circuits. A clock 150 iscoupled to the track-and-hold circuit 118 and a power control device152. The power control device 152 is coupled to the first preamplifier120, the second preamplifier 126, and the comparator 132.

The ADC 104 converts the analog ADC input 112 into the digital ADCoutput 135. The track-and-hold circuit 118 performs tracking and holdingof the ADC input 112 to create the positive track-and-hold output (Thp)122 and the negative track-and-hold output (Thn) 124. The track-and-holdcircuit 118 has a track mode and a hold mode. During the track mode, thetrack-and-hold circuit 118 tracks a signal at the ADC input 112. Theoutput of the track-and-hold circuit 118 substantially equals thedifferential signal at the ADC input 112 during the track mode. Duringthe hold mode, the track-and-hold circuit 118 holds the output of thetrack-and-hold circuit 118 at a constant differential voltagesubstantially equal to that of the ADC input 112 at the moment the holdmode started. Timing of the various modes and operations is illustratedin FIG. 9.

FIG. 1B illustrates operational detail of the first preamplifier 120,the second preamplifier 126, and the comparator 132. The firstpreamplifier 120 creates a first differential result by subtracting thenegative track-and-hold output (Thn) 124 from the positivetrack-and-hold output (Thp) 122. The first preamplifier 120 also createsa second differential result by subtracting the negative reference(Refn) 110 from the positive reference (Refp) 108. The firstpreamplifier 120 creates a third differential result by subtracting thesecond differential result from the first differential result. Further,the first preamplifier 120 varies a gain of the third differentialresult. The gain-adjusted third differential result is the positivefirst preamplifier output (op1) 128 and the negative first preamplifieroutput (on1) 130. The equation (op1−on1)=A₁·(Thp−Thn−Refp+Refn)determines the first preamplifier 120 output, where A₁ is the firstpreamplifier gain.

The second preamplifier 126 amplifies the positive first preamplifieroutput (op1) 128 and the negative first preamplifier output (on1) 130 toproduce the positive second preamplifier output (op2) 134 and thenegative second preamplifier output (on2) 136. The equation:(op2−on2)=A₂·(op1−on1) determines the second preamplifier output. Thevariable A₂ is the second preamplifier gain.

The positive second preamplifier output (op2) 134 and the negativesecond preamplifier output (on2) 136 are input to the comparator 132.The comparator 132 compares a difference between the positive secondpreamplifier output (op2) 134 and the negative second preamplifieroutput (on2) 136 to a comparator reference voltage. The comparatorreference voltage is substantially zero. If the difference is positiverelative to the comparator reference voltage, then the ADC output 135 isa logic “high” and/or a digital “1”. If the difference is negativerelative to the comparator reference voltage, then the ADC output 135 isa logic “low” and/or a digital “−1”. The comparator reference voltagemay be a voltage other than zero.

As used herein, the terms logic bit, logic signal, and bit are usedinterchangeably to refer to the same signal. Also, the terms high-levelbit, logic “1”, high signal, logic high, and logic-one areinterchangeable. Further, the terms low-level bit, logic “0”, lowsignal, logic low, and logic-zero are interchangeable.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the buffer 137 buffers the comparator output. Theset-reset latch 138 ensures the ADC output 135 is bi-stable. Theflip-flop 140 corrects timing errors in the comparator output andprovides the ADC output 135. The clock 150 provides timing signals. Thepower control device 152 controls power application to the firstpreamplifier 120, the second preamplifier 126, and the comparator 132.

FIG. 2 is an example of a reference voltage supply 106. The referencevoltage supply 106 is a reference ladder 200 voltage divider having atleast a first resistor 202 and a second resistor 204 coupled in seriesvia a node 206. A reference voltage output 208 is coupled to the node206. The reference voltage output 208 is coupled to the ADC 104 toprovide the positive reference (Refp) 108 and/or the negative reference(Refn) 110. The reference voltage supply 106 may be a variable voltagesource. The reference ladder 200 may have multiple nodes 206 coupled tocorresponding multiple reference voltage outputs 208.

The reference ladder 200 divides a voltage, such as Vdd, into at leastone reference voltage, such as the positive reference (Refp) 108 or thenegative reference (Refn) 110. The reference voltage output 208 providesthe reference voltage by tapping the reference ladder 200 via the node206. The reference ladder 200 may be coupled between two voltagesources.

ADC Dynamic Power Circuit

FIG. 3A is an ADC with a dynamic power circuit 300. The dynamic powercircuit 300 cuts power to an ADC subcircuit 302 to reduce powerconsumption of the ADC subcircuit 302. The ADC with a dynamic powercircuit 300 is deposited on a substrate 102. The ADC subcircuit 302 iscoupled to a power control device 152. The bit storage circuit 306 iscoupled to a clock 150. A bit storage circuit 306 is a circuit thatmaintains a substantially constant bit storage circuit output that isindependent of a bit storage circuit input for at least a part of aclock cycle. The clock 150 is also coupled to the power control device152 via a control circuit 308. The ADC subcircuit 302 is coupled to avoltage source 314. The voltage source 314 may be a power supply voltagesuch as Vdd. In examples, the control circuit 308 is coupled to a harddrive controller.

The ADC subcircuit 302 may be at least one of the first preamplifier120, the second preamplifier 126, and the comparator 132. Examples ofthe bit storage circuit 306 are the flip flop 140 and the set-resetlatch 138. Further, the control circuit 308 is the track-and-holdcircuit 118, and/or any circuit capable of controlling the power controldevice 152.

The clock circuit 150 provides a clock signal to the bit storage circuit306 and the control circuit 308. The bit storage circuit 306 affects atleast two operational modes. A first mode is a track mode during whichpower is conserved. A second mode is a hold mode.

The clock signal, the track-and-hold circuit 118, and/or the bit storagecircuit 306 determine, at least in part, mode selection. In the trackmode, the bit storage circuit 306 provides a constant output that isindependent of an input to the bit storage circuit 306. In the holdmode, change of the bit storage circuit output is enabled. When the bitstorage circuit 306 is enabled, the bit storage circuit output isdependent on the bit storage circuit input. The control circuit 308 maydetermine the mode based on a signal from at least one of the clockcircuit 308, the track-and-hold circuit 118, and/or the bit storagecircuit 306.

During the track mode, signal processing and other processes performedby the ADC subcircuit 302 have no effect on the bit storage circuitoutput. Thus, during the track mode, the control circuit 308 issues acontrol signal to the power control device 152 to reduce a current 312in the ADC subcircuit 302. Reducing the current 312 in the ADCsubcircuit 302 reduces power consumption by the ADC subcircuit 302. Thecurrent 312 may be reduced to essentially zero. During the hold mode,processing performed by the ADC subcircuit 302 affects the bit storagecircuit output. Thus, the control circuit 308 issues a control signal tothe power control device 152 to increase the current 312 to the ADCsubcircuit 302 during, and/or prior to, the hold mode.

FIG. 3B is an ADC dynamic power circuit 350. The dynamic power circuit350 shorts an output of the ADC subcircuit 302 to a voltage source toreset the ADC subcircuit output. Resetting the ADC subcircuit outputremoves inter-symbol interference (ISI). The dynamic power circuit 350resets an ADC subcircuit output 352 to a differential voltage of zerovolts. During the reset phase, the dynamic power circuit 350 also shutsdown the ADC subcircuit 302 to save power. The ADC with a dynamic powercircuit 350 is deposited on a substrate 102. The ADC subcircuit output352 is coupled to the power control device 152 and a second ADCsubcircuit 358. The power control device 152 is coupled to a voltagesource 356. The bit storage circuit 306 is coupled to a clock 150. Theclock 150 is coupled to the power control device 152 via a controlcircuit 308. The voltage source 356 may be Vdd or ground.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of the first preamplifier 120 with a dynamic powercircuit. The dynamic power circuit adjusts a gain and a bandwidth in theADC subcircuit 302 based on clock frequency. The gain and the bandwidthare adjusted via adjusting a first preamplifier load 401 and a pair ofbias transistors 402A, 402B. The dynamic power circuit also enables thefirst preamplifier 120 to amplify during the hold mode. In the trackmode, the first preamplifier 120 is disabled and the ADC subcircuit 302is reset via the control circuit 308, a pair of first preamplifiercurrent control transistors 404A, 404B, and a resetb control 420. Thedynamic power circuit cuts power to at least a part of the firstpreamplifier 120. The dynamic power circuit also shorts an output of thefirst preamplifier 120 to reset the output of the first preamplifier 120so that the ADC 104 can always compare the input signal and thereference voltage from the same initial conditions, thus theinter-symbol interference (ISI) may be removed.

The first preamplifier 120 has a differential pair amplifier 400 coupledto the first preamplifier load 401. The differential pair amplifier 400is an example of the ADC subcircuit 302. The differential pair amplifier400 is coupled to the pair of bias transistors 402A, 402B via the pairof first preamplifier current control transistors 404A, 404B. The biastransistors 402 and the current control transistors 404 are an exampleof the power control device 152. The current control transistors 404 arecoupled to, and controlled by, the control circuit 308. The controlcircuit 308 has a low power mode input 406 coupled to control a firstcontrol transistor 408 and an inverter 410. An output of the inverter410 is coupled to control a second control transistor 412. An output ofthe first control transistor 408 and an output of the second controltransistor 412 are both coupled to a control output node 414. Thecontrol output node 414 is coupled to control the first preamplifiercurrent control transistors 404. An input of the first controltransistor 408 is coupled to a first voltage source, such as the resetbcontrol 420. The resetb control 420, a bias2 control 422, and the lowpower mode input 406 are examples of outputs of the control circuit 308.An input of the second control transistor 412 is coupled to a secondvoltage source, such as Vdd. When low power control input 406 isenabled, the preamplifier is in dynamic power mode, that is the firstpreamplifier 120 will be turned on during the hold mode and will beturned off in track mode through the control signal resetb 402 to switchthe current control transistors 404A, 404B. If the low power controlinput 406 is disabled, the first preamplifier 120 will be on both intrack and hold modes.

The resetb control 420 is a signal that is input to the track and holdcircuit 118. When the resetb control 420 signal is logic high, the trackand hold circuit 118 is in hold mode and the first preamplifier 120 isnormal operation mode. The gain and bandwidth of the first preamplifier120 is controlled by the first preamplifier load 401 and the biascurrent 422, 402A, 402B depending on the clock frequency, which couldchange with time. When the resetb control 420 is low, the track and holdcircuit is in track mode and the preamplifier is in the reset mode andturned off because the NMOS current control transistors 404A, 404B areoff. The first preamplifier 120 is in reset mode because the PMOSshorting transistors 416A, 416B are turned on and both outputs areshorted to Vdd. With both the positive first preamplifier output (op1)128 and the negative first preamplifier output (on1) 130 shorted to thesame voltage source, the differential voltage between the positive firstpreamplifier output (op1) 128 and the negative first preamplifier output(on1) 130 is zero, thus the first preamplifier 120 is reset. When theanalog to digital conversion circuit transitions from track mode to holdmode after being reset, circuits downstream from the first preamplifier120 start processing from the same post-reset input voltage. The firstpreamplifier 120 is in off mode because the current control transistors404A, 404B are off if the low power control 406 is turned on.

When the first preamplifier 120 is in reset mode, the differentialoutput of the differential pair amplifier 400 is substantially zero. Thepositive first preamplifier output (opt) 128 and the negative firstpreamplifier output (on1) 130 are coupled to Vdd via a pair of shortingtransistors 416A, 416B. The shorting transistors 416 are an example ofthe power control device 152. The gates of the shorting transistors 416are coupled to a control circuit 308 and controlled by the resetbcontrol 420. The shorting transistors 416 are turned on by a logic lowon the resetb 420 when the first preamplifier 120 is reset.

When the track-and-hold circuit 118 is in the track mode, the controlcircuit 308 controls the shorting transistors 416 to short the positivefirst preamplifier output (opt) 128 and the negative first preamplifieroutput (on1) 130 to Vdd. More specifically, the resetb control 420 isset to a logic low to cause the shorting transistors 416A, 416B toconduct and short the positive first preamplifier output (op1) 128 andthe negative first preamplifier output (on1) 130 to Vdd. In the holdmode, the control circuit 308 controls the shorting transistors 416 toisolate the positive first preamplifier output (op1) 128 and thenegative first preamplifier output (on1) 130 from Vdd, thus thedifferential voltage of the ADC subcircuit output 352 is passed to thesecond ADC subcircuit 358.

In the hold mode, the bias2 422 controls the first preamplifier currentcontrol transistors 404 to reduce or increase a pair of differentialpair amplifier currents 418A, 418B based on the operating frequency.Together with the control of the first preamplifier load 401, the gainand bandwidth of the first preamplifier 120 can be dynamically optimizedto the operating clock frequency.

In the hold mode, a signal on the low power control 406 controls thefirst control transistor 408 and the second control transistor 412. Theinverter 410 inverts the low power control signal 406 so that the firstcontrol transistor 408 operates inversely to the operation of the secondcontrol transistor 412. The first control transistor 408 or the secondcontrol transistor 412 apply a voltage to control the first preamplifiercurrent control transistors 404. More specifically, when the low powercontrol 406 is high, the first control transistor 408 conducts and mayapply a logic high (the resetb control 420) to the gates of firstpreamplifier current control transistors 404.

When the low power control 406 is low, the first control transistor 408is turned off and control transistor 412 is turned on, thus applying alogic high (Vdd) to the gates of the first preamplifier current controltransistors 404 so cause the first preamplifier current controltransistors 404 to conduct and permit flow if the differential pairamplifier currents 418. This mode will bypass the dynamic power controlscheme.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the second preamplifier 126 with a dynamicpower circuit. The dynamic power circuit adjusts a gain and a bandwidthin the ADC subcircuit 302 based on clock frequency. The gain and thebandwidth are adjusted via changing a second preamplifier load 501 and abias transistor 502. The dynamic power circuit also enables the secondpreamplifier 126 to amplify during the hold mode. In the track mode, thesecond preamplifier 126 is disabled and the ADC subcircuit 302 is resetvia the control circuit 308, a pair of second preamplifier currentcontrol transistors 506A, B, and the resetb control 420. The dynamicpower circuit cuts power to at least a part of the second preamplifier126. The dynamic power circuit also shorts an output of the secondpreamplifier 126 to reset the output of the second preamplifier 126 sothat the ADC 104 can always compare the input signal and the referencevoltage from the same initial conditions, thus the inter-symbolinterference (ISI) may be removed.

The second preamplifier 126 has a second preamplifier differential pairamplifier 500 coupled to a second preamplifier load 501. The secondpreamplifier differential pair amplifier 500 is an example of the ADCsubcircuit 302. The second preamplifier differential pair amplifier 500is coupled to a bias transistor 502 via a second preamplifier currentcontrol transistor 504. The bias transistor 502 and the secondpreamplifier current control transistor 504 are each an example of thepower control device 152. The second preamplifier current controltransistor 504 is coupled to, and controlled by, the control circuit308. The control circuit 308 shown in FIG. 5 has a similar structure tothat recited for FIG. 4. The control output node 414 is coupled tocontrol the second preamplifier current control transistor 504.

The resetb control 420 is a signal that is input to the track and holdcircuit 118.

When the resetb control 420 signal is logic high, the track and holdcircuit 118 is in hold mode and the second preamplifier 126 is normaloperation mode. The gain and bandwidth of the second preamplifier 126 iscontrolled by second first preamplifier load 501 and the bias current508 depending on the clock frequency, which could change with time. Whenthe resetb control 420 is low, the track and hold circuit is in trackmode and the second preamplifier 126 is in reset mode and turned off.The second preamplifier 126 is in reset mode because the PMOS shortingtransistors 506A, 506B are turned on and both outputs are shorted toVdd. With both the positive second preamplifier output (op2) 134 and thenegative second preamplifier output (on2) 136 shorted to the samevoltage source, the differential voltage between the positive secondpreamplifier output (op2) 134 and the negative second preamplifieroutput (on2) 136 is zero, thus the second preamplifier 126 is reset.When the analog to digital conversion circuit transitions from trackmode to hold mode after being reset, circuits downstream from the secondpreamplifier 126 start processing from the same post-reset input voltageto remove inter-symbol interference (ISI). The second preamplifier 126is in off mode because the current control transistor 504A, 504B are offif the low power control 406 is turned on.

When the second preamplifier 126 is in reset mode, the output of thedifferential pair amplifier 500 is substantially zero. The positivesecond preamplifier output (op2) 134 and the negative secondpreamplifier output (on2) 136 are coupled to Vdd via a pair of shortingtransistors 506A, 506B. The shorting transistors 506A, 506B are anexample of the power control device 152. The gates of the shortingtransistors 506 are coupled to a control circuit 308 and controlled bythe resetb control 420. The shorting transistors 506A, 506B are turnedon by a logic low on the resetb 420 when the second preamplifier 126 isreset.

When the track-and-hold circuit 118 is in the track mode, the controlcircuit 308 controls the shorting transistors 506A, 506B to short thepositive second preamplifier output (op2) 134 and the negative secondpreamplifier output (on2) 136 to Vdd. More specifically, the resetbcontrol 420 is set to a logic low to cause the shorting transistors506A, 506B to conduct and short the positive second preamplifier output(op2) 134 and the negative second preamplifier output (on2) 136 to Vdd.In the hold mode, the control circuit 308 controls the shortingtransistors 506A, 506B to isolate the positive second preamplifieroutput (op2) 134 and the negative second preamplifier output (on2) 136from Vdd, thus removing the short.

Further, in the hold mode, the control circuit 308 controls the secondpreamplifier current control transistor 502 to adjust a differentialpair amplifier current 508. The differential pair amplifier current 508is an example of the current 312. Together with the control of thesecond preamplifier load 501, the gain and bandwidth of the secondpreamplifier 126 can be dynamically optimized to the operating clockfrequency.

In the hold mode, a signal on the low power control 406 controls thefirst control transistor 408 and the second control transistor 412. Theinverter 410 inverts the low power control signal 406 so that the firstcontrol transistor 408 operates inversely to the operation of the secondcontrol transistor 412. Controlling the first control transistor 408 orthe second control transistor 412 applies one of two voltages to controlthe second preamplifier current control transistor 504. Morespecifically, when the low power control 406 is high, the first controltransistor 408 conducts and applies a logic high (the resetb control420) to a gate of the second preamplifier current control transistor504. When the low power control 406 is low, a logic high (Vdd) isapplied to the gate of the second preamplifier current controltransistor 504 so as to cause the second preamplifier current controltransistor 504 to conduct and permit flow of the differential pairamplifier current 508. In the hold mode, the control circuit 308controls the second preamplifier current control transistor 504 toresist flow of the differential pair amplifier current 508.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of the comparator 132 with a dynamic powercircuit. The dynamic power circuit controls power to at least a part ofthe comparator 132. The dynamic power circuit also shorts the output ofthe comparator 132 to reduce power consumption of a downstream circuit.The dynamic power circuit also shorts the output of the comparator 132to reset the output of the comparator 132 so that the ADC 104 can alwayscompare the signal and the reference voltage from the same initialconditions, thus the inter-symbol interference (ISI) may be removed.

The comparator 132 has a comparator core 600 having a first pair ofcross-coupled transistors 612, a second pair of cross-coupledtransistors 614, and a differential pair 601A, 601B coupled to acomparator output 603A, 603B. The comparator core 600 is an example ofthe ADC subcircuit 302. The comparator core 600 is coupled to comparatorbias transistors 602A, 602B and comparator current control transistors604A-C. The comparator current control transistors 604A-C are an exampleof the power control device 152. The comparator current controltransistor 604 is coupled to the control circuit 308 via a preamp_resetline 606. The control circuit 308 controls the comparator currentcontrol transistor 604. The comparator output 603 may be coupled to thelatch 138. The latch 138 holds a latch output constant during the trackmode. The comparator current control transistor 604 is controlled duringthe track mode to reduce a comparator core current 610A, 610B.

The output of the comparator core 600 is coupled to a power source, suchas Vdd, via a pair of shorting transistors 608A, 608B. The shortingtransistors 608 are an example of the power control device 152. Thegates of the shorting transistors 608 are coupled to the control circuit308 by a control line resetc 621. The control line resetc 621 is anexample of the output of the control circuit 308. The gates of theshorting transistors 608 are controlled by the resetc control 621. Theoutput of the comparator core 600 may be coupled to the buffer 137. FIG.9 illustrates timing of the resetc 621 signal.

When the preamplifier is off and in reset mode, the comparator output603A, 603B has a differential voltage of substantially zero. Thecomparator output 603A, 603B are coupled to Vdd via a pair of shortingtransistors 608A, 608B. The shorting transistors 608 are an example ofthe power control device 152. The gates of the shorting transistors 608are coupled to a control circuit 308 and controlled by the resetccontrol 621. The shorting transistors 608 are turned on by a logic lowon the resetc 621 when the comparator 132 is reset.

Further, in the track mode, the control circuit 308 controls thecomparator current control transistors 604 to reduce the comparator corecurrents 610. The comparator core currents 610 are an example of thecurrent 312. A signal from the control circuit 308 on the preamp_resetline 606 controls the comparator current control transistors 604. Morespecifically, when the preamp_reset line 606 is high, the comparatorcurrent control transistors 604A, 604B resist current, but thecomparator current control transistor 604C conducts the comparator corecurrent 610B. When the preamp_reset line 606 is low, the comparatorcurrent control transistors 604A, 604B conduct to permit flow of thecomparator core currents 610A, but the comparator current controltransistor 604C shuts down the comparator core current 610B. The controlcircuit 308 also controls the comparator core currents 610A, 610B withthe bias2 voltage 422 based on the operating frequency to optimize powerconsumption.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a resistor load control circuit 401, 501. Theresistor load control circuit 401, 501 illustrates one example of thefirst preamplifier load 401 and/or the second preamplifier load 501. Theresistor load control circuit 401, 501 has at least two series-coupledresistors 702A, B, . . . , N. The resistors 702 are series-coupled vianodes 704A, B, . . . , N−1. The resistors 702 are coupled between Vddand the ADC subcircuit output 352. A load control transistor 706A, B, .. . , N−1 is coupled between at least one of the nodes 704 and Vdd. Theload control transistor 706 is coupled to a respective load controltransistor control 708A, B, . . . , N−1. When a load control transistorcontrol 708 is low, the respective load control transistor 706 conductscurrent so that the respective series-coupled resistor 702 decreases thefirst preamplifier load 401 and/or the second preamplifier load 501.When a load control transistor control 708 is high, the respective loadcontrol transistor 706 resists current flow so that the respectiveseries-coupled resistor 702 increases the first preamplifier load 401and/or the second preamplifier load 501. The load control transistorcontrol 708 is an example of the output of the control circuit 308.

In the track mode, the control circuit 308 controls at least one loadcontrol transistor 706 to short at least one node 704 to Vdd. Shortingat least one node 704 to Vdd reduces the differential voltage of the ADCsubcircuit differential output 352 and thus reduces a signal to beprocessed by the second ADC subcircuit 358. In the hold mode, thecontrol circuit 308 controls the shorting transistor 608 to remove theshort of at least one node 704 to Vdd, thus the differential voltage ofthe ADC subcircuit differential output is increased.

Method for Reducing ADC Power Consumption

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary method 800 for reducing powerconsumption by an ADC having a track-and-hold circuit coupled to acomparator via a preamplifier. The preamplifier has a load.

In step 802, a track mode of the track-and hold circuit is determined. Abit storage circuit may be determined to be maintaining a constantoutput. A control circuit may monitor the track-and-hold circuit todevelop a control signal. In step 804, a control signal is developedbased on the step 802 determination. In step 806, a current flow in theADC is adjusted to reduce ADC power consumption. The control signalcontrols the adjusting. The current flow may be reduced in thepreamplifier and/or the comparator. The current flow in the ADC may beadjusted by selectively coupling a resistance to vary the load. Theadjusting may short the load to ground or a power source. The adjustingmay limit current flow in a differential pair of transistors.

The exemplary method 800 may also select a transistor control voltagesource with the control signal. The control signal controls a controlvoltage transistor to select a voltage source to be coupled to thecurrent control transistor. The voltage source coupled to the currentcontrol transistor varies the current control transistor.

The control signal may be inverted to create an inverted control signal.At least one current control transistor control voltage is selected froma plurality of voltages by the non-inverted control signal and/or theinverted control signal. A second control voltage transistor iscontrolled by the inverted control signal to selectively couple avoltage source to the current control transistor. Alternatively, thesecond control voltage transistor is controlled by the non-invertedcontrol signal.

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary timing of control signals and circuit modes900. Four phases of preamplifier and comparator operation are shown inFIG. 9.

During a first phase 902, both of the preamplifiers 120, 126 are on andthe comparator latch is off. In the first preamplifier 120, the PMOSshorting transistors 416A, 416B resist current flow because the resetb420 is high. The NMOS first preamplifier current control transistors404A, 404B conduct because the low power control 406 is high and theresetb 420 is high. In the second preamplifier 126, the PMOS secondpreamplifier current control transistors 506A, 506B resist current flowbecause the resetb 420 is high. The NMOS second preamplifier currentcontrol transistor 504 conducts because the low power control 406 ishigh and the resetb 420 is high. In the comparator 132, the PMOSshorting transistors 608A, 608B conduct to reset the latch because theresetc 621 is low. The PMOS comparator current control transistors 604A,604B conduct because the preamp_reset 606 is low. The NMOS comparatorcurrent control transistor 604C resists current flow because thepreamp_reset 606 is low. During the first phase 902, within comparator132, the amplifier formed by the differential pair 601A, 601B is on andthe latch formed by the first pair of cross-coupled transistors 612 andthe second pair of cross-coupled transistors 614 is off. During thefirst phase 902, a small output signal is amplified by a comparatoramplifier 615 across a resistance provided by the PMOS shortingtransistors 608A, 608B. The amplified signal is present at thecomparator output 603A, 603B.

During a second phase 904, both of the preamplifiers 120, 126 and thecomparator amplifier 615 are on. The preamplifiers 120, 126 are in holdmode and the signal from the track and hold circuit 118 is amplified bythe preamplifiers 120, 126. The comparator amplifier 615 and the firstpair of cross-coupled transistors 612 are turned on to amplify thepositive second preamplifier output (op2) 134 and the negative secondpreamplifier output (on2) 136. During the second phase 904, theamplification gain is large due the positive feedback in the latch. Thefirst pair of cross-coupled transistors 612 are activated because thePMOS shorting transistors 608A, 608B are turned off. The PMOS comparatorcurrent control transistors 604A, 604B conduct because the preamp_reset606 is low. The NMOS comparator current control transistor 604C resistscurrent flow because the preamp_reset 606 is low. Thus, withincomparator 132, the comparator amplifier 615 is on and the latch formedby the first pair of cross-coupled transistors 612 is on, but the secondpair of cross-coupled transistors 614 are off.

During a third phase 906, the track and hold circuit 118 is in trackmode and both of the preamplifiers 120, 126 are off and in reset mode toconserve power and the first pair of cross-coupled transistors 612 andthe second pair of cross-coupled transistors 614 are on to pull thecomparator output 603A, 603B signal to power or ground. The second pairof cross-coupled transistors 614 are on because the preamp_reset controlsignal 606 goes high. In the first preamplifier 120, the PMOS shortingtransistors 416A, 416B conduct because the resetb 420 is low. The NMOSfirst preamplifier current control transistors 404A, 404B resist currentflow because the low power control 406 is high and the resetb 420 islow. In the second preamplifier 126, the PMOS second preamplifiercurrent control transistors 506A, 506B conduct because the resetb 420 islow. The NMOS second preamplifier current control transistor 504 resistscurrent flow because the low power control 406 is high and the resetb420 is low. In the comparator 132, the PMOS shorting transistors 608A,608B resist current flow because the resets 621 is high. The PMOScomparator current control transistors 604A, 604B resist current flowbecause the preamp_reset 606 is high. The NMOS comparator currentcontrol transistor 604C conducts because the preamp_reset 606 is high.Thus, within comparator 132, the comparator amplifier 615 is off and thelatch formed by the first pair of cross-coupled transistors 612 and thesecond pair of cross-coupled transistors 614 is on. During the thirdphase 906, the clock output signal (Clk_out) 910 triggers the flip-flop140 to latch data 912 the ADC output 135 before the end of the thirdphase 906 since the signal was amplified to the maximum value in thisphase.

During a fourth phase 908, both of the preamplifiers 120, 126 are off toconserve power and the comparator latch is in reset mode. In the firstpreamplifier 120, the PMOS shorting transistors 416A, 416B conductbecause the resetb 420 is low. The NMOS first preamplifier currentcontrol transistors 404A, 404B resist current flow because the low powercontrol 406 is high and the resetb 420 is low. In the secondpreamplifier 126, the PMOS second preamplifier current controltransistors 506A, 506B conduct because the resetb 420 is low. The NMOSsecond preamplifier current control transistor 504 resists current flowbecause the low power control 406 is high and the resetb 420 is low. Inthe comparator 132, the PMOS shorting transistors 608A, 608B conductbecause the resetc 621 is low. The PMOS comparator current controltransistors 604A, 604B resist current flow because the preampreset 606is high. The NMOS comparator current control transistor 604C conductsbecause the preamp_reset 606 is high. During the third phase, theflip-flop 140 remains latched to maintain the ADC output 135. Thus,within comparator 132, the comparator amplifier 615 is off and the latchformed by the first pair of cross-coupled transistors 612 and the secondpair of cross-coupled transistors 614 is also off.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpretthe claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or morebut not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention ascontemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit thepresent invention and the appended claims in any way.

1. An analog to digital converter (ADC), comprising: a track-and-holdcircuit configured to provide a track-and-hold output based on a signalreceived at an input of the ADC and based on whether the track-and-holdcircuit is operating in a track mode or a hold mode; a comparatorconfigured to provide a comparator output based on the track-and-holdoutput, the comparator comprising a first pair of cross-coupledtransistors, a second pair of cross-coupled transistors, and adifferential pair of transistors; and a dynamic power circuit configuredto selectively turn on and off the first pair of cross-coupledtransistors, the second pair of cross-coupled transistors, and thedifferential pair of transistors based on whether the track-and-holdcircuit is operating in a first or second phase of time associated withthe track mode, or in a third or fourth phase of time associated withthe hold mode, wherein the first phase occurs before the second phase,and the third phase occurs before the fourth phase.
 2. The ADC of claim1, wherein the dynamic power circuit is configured to control thedifferential pair of transistors to be on and the first and second pairof cross-coupled transistors to be off during the first phase.
 3. TheADC of claim 2, wherein the differential pair of transistors, during thefirst phase, is configured to amplify the track-and-hold output andprovide the amplified track-and-hold output at the comparator output. 4.The ADC of claim 1, wherein the dynamic power circuit is configured tocontrol the differential pair of transistors and the first pair ofcross-coupled transistors to be on and the second pair of cross-coupledtransistors to be off during the second phase.
 5. The ADC of claim 4,wherein the differential pair of transistors and the first pair ofcross-coupled transistors, during the second phase, are configured toamplify the track-and-hold output and provide the amplifiedtrack-and-hold output at the comparator output.
 6. The ADC of claim 1,wherein the dynamic power circuit is configured to control the first andsecond pair of cross-coupled transistors to be on and the differentialpair of transistors to be off during the third phase.
 7. The ADC ofclaim 6, wherein the first and second pair of cross-coupled transistors,during the third phase, are configured to pull the comparator output toa logical high or low value based on the track-and-hold output.
 8. TheADC of claim 1, wherein the dynamic power circuit is configured tocontrol the first and second pair of cross-coupled transistors and thedifferential pair of transistors to be off during the fourth phase.
 9. Amethod for controlling an analog to digital converter (ADC), comprising:providing a track-and-hold output based on a signal received at an inputof the ADC and based on whether the ADC is operating in a track mode ora hold mode; providing a comparator output, based on the track-and-holdoutput, using a comparator that comprises a first pair of cross-coupledtransistors, a second pair of cross-coupled transistors, and adifferential pair of transistors; and selectively turning on and off thefirst pair of cross-coupled transistors, the second pair ofcross-coupled transistors, and the differential pair of transistorsbased on whether the ADC is operating in a first or second phase of timeassociated with the track mode, or in a third or fourth phase of timeassociated with the hold mode, wherein the first phase occurs before thesecond phase, and the third phase occurs before the fourth phase. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the step of selectively turning on andoff the first pair of cross-couple transistors, the second pair ofcross-coupled transistors, and the differential pair of transistors,further comprises: controlling the differential pair of transistors tobe on and the first and second pair of cross-coupled transistors to beoff during the first phase.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thedifferential pair of transistors, during the first phase, is configuredto amplify the track-and-hold output and provide the amplifiedtrack-and-hold output at the comparator output.
 12. The method of claim9, wherein the step of selectively turning on and off the first pair ofcross-couple transistors, the second pair of cross-coupled transistors,and the differential pair of transistors, further comprises: controllingthe differential pair of transistors and the first pair of cross-coupledtransistors to be on and the second pair of cross-coupled transistors tobe off during the second phase.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thedifferential pair of transistors and the first pair of cross-coupledtransistors, during the second phase, are configured to amplify thetrack-and-hold output and provide the amplified track-and-hold output atthe comparator output.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step ofselectively turning on and off the first pair of cross-coupletransistors, the second pair of cross-coupled transistors, and thedifferential pair of transistors, further comprises: controlling thefirst and second pair of cross-coupled transistors to be on and thedifferential pair of transistors to be off during the third phase. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second pair ofcross-coupled transistors, during the third phase, are configured topull the comparator output to a logical high or low value based on thetrack-and-hold output.
 16. The ADC of claim 9, wherein the step ofselectively turning on and off the first pair of cross-coupletransistors, the second pair of cross-coupled transistors, and thedifferential pair of transistors, further comprises: controlling thefirst and second pair of cross-coupled transistors and the differentialpair of transistors to be off during the fourth phase.
 17. An analog todigital converter (ADC), comprising: a track-and-hold circuit configuredto provide a track-and-hold output based on a signal received at aninput of the ADC and based on whether the track-and-hold circuit isoperating in a track mode or a hold mode; a comparator configured toprovide a comparator output based on the track-and-hold output, thecomparator comprising a comparator core and a comparator amplifier; anda dynamic power circuit configured to selectively turn on and off thecomparator core and the comparator amplifier based on whether thetrack-and-hold circuit is operating in a first or second phase of timeassociated with the track mode, or in a third or fourth phase of timeassociated with the hold mode, wherein the first phase occurs before thesecond phase, and the third phase occurs before the fourth phase. 18.The ADC of claim 17, wherein the comparator core includes a first pairof cross-coupled transistors and a second pair of cross-coupledtransistors.
 19. The ADC of claim 18, wherein the dynamic power circuitis configured to control the comparator amplifier to be on and the firstand second pair of cross-coupled transistors to be off during the firstphase.
 20. The ADC of claim 18, wherein the dynamic power circuit isconfigured to control the comparator amplifier and the first pair ofcross-coupled transistors to be on and the second pair of cross-coupledtransistors to be off during the second phase.
 21. The ADC of claim 18,wherein the dynamic power circuit is configured to control the first andsecond pair of cross-coupled transistors to be on and the comparatoramplifier to be off during the third phase.
 22. The ADC of claim 18,wherein the dynamic power circuit is configured to control the first andsecond pair of cross-coupled transistors and the comparator amplifier tobe off during the fourth phase.